Wake Forest is a very tradition-heavy university, and as a current sophomore, I understand that it can be hard to keep track of all the events we have on campus. As a campus tour guide, I witness firsthand that campus traditions are one of our big selling points since they tie philanthropy and campus community into central events. In the fall, we had Pitsgiving, Hit the Bricks, Project Pumpkin, Lovefeast, and the Lighting of the Quad, just to name a few. Whether you loved the fall’s campus events or are looking to get into them more in the spring, don’t worry. We have plenty more events coming up, and I am here to recap them for you!
- Arnold Palmer Day
Golf legend Arnold Palmer attended Wake Forest, advancing the prestige of both the golf program and the entire university. Every year, the Traditions Council holds an event on Hearn Plaza honoring Palmer’s time at Wake, handing out large cans of his branded iced tea and lemonade drink and setting up fun, related activities.
- DESK
Local elementary students from the area come to Wake’s campus to decorate desks with students, resulting in a fun, spring day of painting. Each WFU group that participates is assigned an elementary school student and decorates the desk according to their vision. Four elementary schools participate in this classic tradition: Old Town Elementary, Cook Literacy Model School, Kimberly Park Elementary, and the Wake Forest University Freedom School. The completed desks are donated to the students’ homes.
- Jam for Janey
Wake’s newest spring tradition is an annual three-versus-three basketball tournament to honor Wake Forest student Janey Thompson. Anyone can form a team and sign up to play for first place in their division. All proceeds benefit the Janey Thompson Scholarship.
- Wake N’ Shake
This tradition is a 12-hour dance marathon to benefit the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund and the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center. This is the largest student-run philanthropy event at the school, and definitely a must-attend. To keep the 12 hours from getting repetitive and remain entertaining, every hour holds a new event, speaker, or activity.